Irvine Entertainment Center Enters Phase 2

A June groundbreaking is scheduled for the second phase of the Irvine Entertainment Center, the food and entertainment complex at the El Toro Y, according to Richard Sim, Irvine Co. executive vice president. The $65-million project, which will house more restaurants and entertainment, bears the architectural stamp of Irvine Co. Chairman Donald L. Bren.

Bren traveled to the walled fortress of Alhambra in Granada, Spain, to draw inspiration for the Moorish-style center. He lifted architectural elements from the 14th century palace, including its arched city gates, the fabric banners and mosaics that shade the walkways there, as well as its large steeple towers.

The Irvine Co. tapped RTKL Associates Inc. of Los Angeles, designer of the center’s first phase, to design the retail center, which will consist of different courts. These courts and the center’s fortress-like walls are designed to keep shoppers in, not out, routing them through a maze of bistros, fountains and small shops.

Melinda Fulmer covers real estate for The Times. She can be reached at (714) 966-7832 and at melinda.fulmer@latimes.com